Writer Helen Wilcock swaps smoked salmon and poachies for Tandoori chicken tikka and Bombay scrambled eggs when she tries the Weekend Power Brunch at Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea
Brunch has become a weekend tradition for almost everyone in London – and beyond. No longer restricted to the timings suggested in the name, many menus are now available all day long.
If you’re a worshipper of the millennial custom and want an alternative to avocado on toast, then Cinnamon Kitchen is the perfect place to escape to. With a focus on modern-Indian cuisine with British influences and innovative cooking techniques, the dishes are guaranteed to spice up your brunch life.
The Venue
Cinnamon Kitchen has three locations but we headed to Battersea, where the newest opening sits under the railway tracks next to the iconic power station.
The interior design is very industrial with exposed brick and a large metal cage acting as a semi-private dining mezzanine. The open kitchen sits at the back of the restaurant, enabling diners to watch the chefs create delicious dishes.
Available all day, the special Weekend Power Brunch menu offers a wide selection of dishes which tangle traditional brunch with Indian favourites.
Expect Bangla style Scotch egg with beetroot and raisin, kasundi mustard, Uttappam a South Indian rice pancake with coconut chutney, lentil sambhar (Vegan) and Bombay scrambled eggs with Keema paratha, the dishes range from £5 – £15.
The Food & Drink
We visited for quite a late brunch so were keen to try the dishes which didn’t focus on eggs, as most menus do. There is only so much Eggs Benedict one human can consume, after all.
We tucked into the Tandoori chicken tikka and cheese naan, coriander chutney (£5.50) and the Railway style lamb curry with pilau rice (£16.00) with Fresh lemonade (£4.00) on the side.
The filled naan was amazing, it took the humble grilled sandwich to the next level and was the perfect mix of two dishes which I absolutely love – chicken tikka and cheese naan. Despite only being £5.50, the portion size was large so no need to worry about ordering extra sides.
The lamb curry was ideal soul food for a cold winter’s day and while it is not something you would normally order for brunch, I would definitely recommend trying.
The lamb was so soft that you could eat it with a spoon and the spices would definitely wake you up if you are still recovering from the night before. Why only have a curry on a Friday night when you can enjoy it at brunch as well!
If you are dining in a group of more than four people then make sure to order the Power Station Feast which is £29 each. The feast includes two starters, four mains, two sides and two desserts – making it ideal for sharing between everyone.
Another must-try – the Papdi chaat, sea bream kedgeree and chana bhatura, a Punjabi style fluffy bread with spiced chickpeas. All the dishes have a good amount of spice – but don’t blow your head off – so you can still taste the amazing flavours.
The Wordrobe Verdict
We loved the food that we tried at Cinnamon Kitchen, especially the fact that the dishes were something different to every other brunch in London.
While the service was lethargic to begin with, the staff were great when we had any questions and to make it even better we didn’t have a long wait for the food to arrive.
If you are looking to enjoy an alternative brunch in a modern setting then Cinnamon Kitchen in Battersea should be your first port of call.
Make it happen
Where: 4 Arches Ln, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AB
Menu: Click here to browse the Weekend Power Brunch dishes for yourself.
How: Please click here or phone 020 3955 548 to find out more and make a booking.
Words by Helen Wilcock, writer.
